Card filing system



y 1934- R. A. JONAS CARD FILING SYSTEM Filed Sept; 14. 19:51

Patented May 22, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE '3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to card indexes of the character in which a plurality of cards are removably mounted on a holder in overlapping relation with a portion of each card ,5 exposed so that data thereon may be readily discernible.

In indexes of this character, cards have been provided with tongues or the like which engage guideways or flanges carried by the holder or '10 supporting member. When applying the cards to the holder, it is necessary to bendthe tongue into engagement with the flanges.

This procedure not only requires considerable time, but the tongues often become damaged or broken off, thus rendering the card unfit for further use.

Furthermore, due to the flanges or guideways projecting above the face of the holder their thickness is accordingly increased.

The object of this invention is to provide a card index in which the card holder has a substantialy fiat surface, and the cards so arranged that they will lie flatly against the face of the holder when mounted thereon.

Another object is to provide an index of the character referred to in which a holder is constructed in such a manner that index cards provided with tongues may be slidably mounted on each side Without interference of the tongues on one set of cards contacting with the tongues on the cards on the opposite side of the holder.

Another object is to provide a card index or file including a holder and a series of cards having tongues therein adapted to be mounted on each side of the holder with the tongues extending through slots in offset relation formed in the holder whereby the tongues on one side of the holder will not contact with those on the opposite side thereof, thus reducing to a minimum the over-all thickness of holder with the cards thereon.

A further object is to provide a card index including a holder having slots or guideways formed therein, and cards with a single tongue thereon which may be individually inserted in the slots with one hand and in a single operation.

Further objects are to provide a card index of comparatively simple construction, which will have a large card-carrying capacity, and so arranged that the cards may be quickly applied or removed.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is afront view'of an indexor file embodying the features of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary face view of the holder with index cards mounted on opposite sides thereof. i

Fig. 3 isa sectional view'taken online 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the index card.

Referring by numerals to "the drawing, the holder designated at 10 is rectangular in'shape, and preferably formed of cardboard, and is provided with a row of eyes '12 adjacent one side edge for connecting thesame to rings-of a loose leaf binder.

Formed in the holder is a series of elongated openings 15, each of which is covered by a plate 16. The plates are preferably formed of sheetmetal, each of which has a longitudinal slot 17 formed therein communicating with one of the openings in said holder, and are secured to the opposite sides thereof in pairs by rivets or the like 18. The slot 17 in each plate is formed adjacent one side edge thereof so that when said plates are secured to opposite sides of the holder in register with each other the slots will be in offset relation, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 4, 20 designates one of the index cards adapted to be mounted on the holder; the card being provided with a tongue 21 for holding the same in place thereon.

Tongue 21 is substantially of elliptical shape stamped or struck out of the body of the card within an opening 22, and joined thereto by a neck 23. The opening is slightly larger than the tongue, and has straight bottom edges 22 In mounting a card on the holder it is grasped by the hand, i. e. with its top and back engaged by the index and and third finger respectively, and the tongue 21 bent with the thumb so that it projects slightly beyond the body portion of the card. The card with the tongue thus bent is placed on any one of the plates 16 (inan angular position) so that one side of the tongue will pass through the slot 17, and extend under the plate 16. The card is then turned to the position shown, the action of which brings the other end of the tongue under the plate.

When thus mounted, the opposite ends of the tongue engage the inner face of the plate. From the foregoing, it will be seen that mounting of each card may be accomplished in a single operation with only one hand.

A plurality of cards are adapted to be mounted on each plate 16 in overlapping relation as shown in Fig. 1 with a portion of the cards exposed.

It will be particularly noted that due to slots 1'7 being disposed in offset relation to each other the tongues on the cards mounted on one side of the holder will not materially interfere with those on the opposite side of said holder. It will also be understood that the slots may be so located or sufliciently spaced in offset relation so that tongues on the cards, when mounted on both sides of the holder, will not contact with each other.

The first card applied to the plate as above described is placed or moved to the bottom of its respective slot, the next card is applied above it, and so on according to the number required. When thus mounted the bottom edge of one card engages the straight edge 22a of the opening 22 in the card therebelow. The straight edges thus serve as a resting surface, and at the same time aid in holding the card in vertical alignment.

I claim:

1. In a card index, a card holder formed of sheet material having a plurality of elongated openings formed therein, a plurality of plates secured to each side of said holder and covering the respective openings therein, each of said plates having a longitudinally disposed slot formed therein communicating with the respective openings in said holder, the slot in each plate being disposed adjacent one side thereof so that the slot in the plate on one side of the holder will be in ofifset relation to the slot in the plate on the opposite side thereof, and a series of cards having tongues struck out of the body portions extending through the slots with their opposite ends engaging the inner faces of said plates.

A card index comprising a holder having a flat body with a plurality of elongated openings formed therein, a plurality of plates, each having a slot formed therein, with the slots secured to each side of said holder, therein communicating with the openings in said holder, the slot in each plate being disposed adjacent one side thereof so that the slot in the plate on one side of the holder will be in offset relation to the slot in the plate on the opposite side thereof, and a plurality of index cards having tongues of substantially elliptical shape struck out of their body portion and joined thereto by a narrow neck, said cards slidably engaging said plates With the tongues extending through the slots and engaging the inner faces of said plates.

3. In a card index, a holder formed of sheet material having an elongated opening formed therein, a plate secured to each side of said holder in register with each other and covering the opening therein, there being a longitudinal slot formed in each or" said plates adjacent one side thereof so that the slot in the plate on one side of the holder will be in offset relation to the slot in the plate on the other side thereof, and a card engaging each of said plates, each of said cards having a tongue struck out of its body portion and extending through the slot in the plate engaged thereby, with the opposite ends thereof engaging the inner face of the plate.

RAY A. JONAS. 

